Ask DocSk8 (Expert Indoor Skate Building Advice)This forum is different then the other SkateLog forums in that it is not a discussion forum, but rather a place you can ask skate building expert Fred "DocSk8" Benjamin about
building and repairing indoor speed, derby, and jamskate quad roller skates. Please start a new thread for each new
question.

I asked above, but I know you mainly read and answer this section.
My friend's trucks snapped while skating.
Is it a regular thing for trucks to snap? Is there any way to prevent this?

It was the trucks on a Powerdyne plate. The plate was fine, we believe the trucks may have been forged steel. Are weak trucks common?

Is it common for an aluminum plate to have steel trucks? Do forged steel trucks snap regularly? Thanks, as all of this seems pretty important. Especially when moving forward towards a new plate set up.

I asked above, but I know you mainly read and answer this section.
My friend's trucks snapped while skating.
Is it a regular thing for trucks to snap?
Not a regular thing, unless you are exceeding the design limits of the plates in question. I have also seen failures due to manufacturing flaws but those are not common.

Is there any way to prevent this?

Yes there is. Quit cranking the cushions down until they scream. The suspension on the sk8s is supposed to act as a shock absorber, not a brick.

It was the trucks on a Powerdyne plate. The plate was fine, we believe the trucks may have been forged steel.

I am no aware of any sk8 being made with forged steel trucks. The vast majority are cast aluminum. Some of the high end plates have forged aluminum.

Are weak trucks common?

No but poorly set up sk8s and misuse are.

Is it common for an aluminum plate to have steel trucks?

Plates have not had ferrous (cast iron) trucks in decades. Never steel to my knowledge.

Do forged steel trucks snap regularly?

No way to answer that as I have never seen one of those.

Thanks, as all of this seems pretty important. Especially when moving forward towards a new plate set up.

Hope this helps. One other point, I have known sk8rs that could break an anvil w/ a rubber hammer, and had similar results w/ their sk8s.

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